At the very end of term, as school staff and pupils prepared to start the summer break, leaders received notice of a new update to the School Sport and Activity Action Plan from the Department for Education.
The changes were expected. Earlier this year, the government gave a major announcement on PE and sport funding, when it made a commitment of over £600 million to be allocated across the next two academic years (2023-24 and 2024-25), an increase of 87 per cent.
This money has been ring-fenced for the continuation of the primary PE and sport premium (PESSP), including additional funding for school games organisers for two years and the announcement that schools will be required to deliver a minimum of two hours of PE per week.
Included in this update is a longer two-year plan, which has a number of key action points for school leaders to address.
Key takeaways from the School Sport and Activity Action Plan include:
- Schools are encouraged to deliver a minimum of two hours of PE for all pupils each week.
- Clear guidance on expectations to increase equality in participation, including ensuring equality of provision in access to sport for both boys and girls.
- Increased focus on competitive opportunities.
- Higher accountability for the expenditure of the PE and school sport premium.
What are the new PE policy changes?
With the new school year now upon us, leaders will want to know what they need to do in order to be ready for the update.
The most significant change to the PE and school sport premium is the introduction of a new digital PE and sport premium reporting tool for schools.
Why create a new digital tool? The report says the aim is to “improve accountability”. It’s clear that the introduction of this new tool will help identify non-compliant spending of the PE and sport premium.
At the moment, only chosen schools will be participating in a pilot. However, it will be a mandatory requirement for all leaders in all schools from September 2024.
Once it is up and running, the digital tool will capture details on how a school has used its PE and sport premium and the impact it has had on achieving the aims and objectives of the funding.
That information will include figures on the overall spend, information on what the funding has been spent on, figures on any funding that hasn’t been spent and data on swimming and water attainment.
What PE policies have stayed the same?
The 2023 update also contains important instructions to leaders on what is remaining in the plan.
Leaders should take note that there is a “continued commitment” to:
School Games Organiser network
The new plan contains encouragement for schools to take part in the school games and places an increased focus on intra- and inter-school competitions, and on providing or improving equal access to sport for boys and girls.
Holiday Activities and Food Programme
The update also says that there are plans to open up school facilities for community use, targeted at increasing participation among girls, disadvantaged groups and pupils with special educational needs or disabilities to ensure these groups will have increased opportunities to take part in physical activity and play.
Changes to expenditure of PE and school sport premium
Primary school leaders should note that there is new guidance regarding the expenditure of the PE and school sport premium.
The five key indicators remain largely the same: increasing all staff’s confidence, knowledge and skills in teaching PE and sport; increasing engagement of all pupils in regular physical activity and sport; raising the profile of PE and sport across the school, to support whole school improvement; offer a broader and more equal experience of a range of sports and physical activities to all pupils; and increase participation in competitive sport.
In terms of dates for receiving the funding allocation, it is advised to check the DfE website as the dates schools receive funding may differ depending on the type of school, for example, if the school is a local authority school or multi-academy trust.
What does this mean for the future of PE in schools?
Leaders should see the action plan as an important policy and investment for two years. It is imperative that school leaders firmly ensure their PE, sport and physical activity offer meets the needs of all children.
Before any changes are made, school leaders should first assess their existing school provision for PE. Once that is done, they will be able to determine how best to ensure the PESSP is used to give further improvement to their existing offer.
It will be crucial for school leaders to ensure that their PE provision extends beyond just a sports offer and to ensure breadth within their curriculum. This needs to happen to allow meaningful enjoyment for all children, including those who may enjoy other forms of PE and physical activity other than sport.
That might mean adapting the curriculum, reviewing extracurricular activities and ensuring that staff received appropriate CPD training so that they are confident they are adequately prepared to deliver the full curriculum offer.
Pupil voice will be key in ensuring inclusive engagement that is context-based and relevant to pupils in their schools.
Where can schools go for help?
Leaders looking for further support to help their schools do this effectively can look to organisations such as the Association for Physical Education. There is also support to be found from Your School Games if schools are looking to increase their offer of more competitive sports and take part in the school games network.
Other organisations that can provide further support are:
Dr Vanessa King is the assistant deputy chief executive officer for the Association for Physical Education
